Top 20 attractions at the Disneyland Resort

I was one of those lucky kids who grew up in Southern California and got to celebrate birthdays and other special events at Disneyland. Many of my relatives worked at the park in the '70s, providing me a different perspective than other visitors and instilling in me a love of Disney magic and bewilderment since birth. <br><br>Then I had my chance to find out more for myself: From 2001-07, I worked in attractions while attending college in Orange County. During that time I discovered my favorite things to do at the parks: quiet havens, wonderful thrills, easily missed experiences. In no particular order, here are 20 of those things I've loved doing most while at the Happiest Place on Earth.PHOTOS: DISNEYLAND AND REGISTER

I was one of those lucky kids who grew up in Southern California and got to celebrate birthdays and other special events at Disneyland. Many of my relatives worked at the park in the '70s, providing me a different perspective than other visitors and instilling in me a love of Disney magic and bewilderment since birth.

Then I had my chance to find out more for myself: From 2001-07, I worked in attractions while attending college in Orange County. During that time I discovered my favorite things to do at the parks: quiet havens, wonderful thrills, easily missed experiences. In no particular order, click through the slideshow to see 20 of the things I've loved doing most while at the Happiest Place on Earth.

I was one of those lucky kids who grew up in Southern California and got to celebrate birthdays and other special events at Disneyland. Many of my relatives worked at the park in the '70s, providing me a different perspective than other visitors and instilling in me a love of Disney magic and bewilderment since birth.

Then I had my chance to find out more for myself: From 2001-07, I worked in attractions while attending college in Orange County. During that time I discovered my favorite things to do at the parks: quiet havens, wonderful thrills, easily missed experiences. In no particular order, here are 20 of those things I've loved doing most while at the Happiest Place on Earth. PHOTOS: DISNEYLAND AND REGISTERWatch the fireworks above Sleeping Beauty CastleThere is something magical and captivating about a twinkling, colorful firework display at Disneyland. Whether with a significant other, family members or thousands of other guests crammed onto Main Street, the whole world seems to stop and look upward at the glimmering spectacle.

Fireworks have been a nighttime regular at the park since the summer of 1956, when each fuse was hand-lit creating the 'Fantasy in the Sky' show. Beginning in the late '60s, Disneyland Entertainment developed a system for firing the shells electronically, synchronized to a musical soundtrack. The current system, installed in 2000, features multiple launch sites, special lighting, lasers, music and choreographed pyrotechnics. PHOTO: JOSHUA SUDOCK, OCR / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCRMatterhorn BobsledsOpened June 14, 1959, the ride was the first tubular steel roller-coaster ever constructed. Modeled after the Matterhorn mountain outside Zermatt in the Swiss Alps, the ride features two steel roller-coaster tracks that intertwine with bobsled cars racing down the icy slopes and splashing down into an alpine lake.

My favorite side, although a bit bumpier, is the one facing Fantasyland. The track is a little longer than the other side and runs more on the outside of the mountain, allowing for better views of the glittering lights of It's a Small World and the rest of the park at night. (After months of remodeling, the ride reopened June 14 with new bobsleds.) PHOTOS: FROM THE REGISTER ARCHIVES / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCRSoarin' Over California The spectacular sights, sounds and smells of California are featured on this hang glider simulation ride, a multisensory experience that virtually flies passengers over the Golden Gate Bridge, Yosemite, Napa Valley, San Diego, downtown Los Angeles and more locales from throughout the state. The ride often has long wait times. Use the Fastpass system to bypass that. PHOTO: JOSHUA SUDOCK, OCR / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCRSpace MountainOften voted one of the best Disneyland attractions by guests, this enclosed thrill ride was the park's second roller-coaster. Guests board rockets in the Space Port before getting 'launched' into the darkness of outer space. The onboard sound system was the first of its kind, once known to air the surf-rock tunes of Dick Dale (and for a time the hits of Red Hot Chili Peppers) and currently playing a combination of classical and electronic music composed by Michael Giacchino. The soundtrack enhances each dashing hidden curve and only heightens the overall experience. Definitely one for Fastpasses; lines can sometimes be hours long. PHOTOS: DISNEYLAND AND REGISTER ARCHIVES / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCRPeter Pan's FlightOne of few remaining attractions still in operation since opening day, riders climb aboard a pirate ship bound for Neverland. The feeling of flying out the nursery window, over the bustling streets of London and off to the twinkling stars and whimsy of the Lost Boys' world is one that shouldn't be missed - although it almost always has the longest line of any ride in Fantasyland. Best times to ride: during parades or at the open or close of the park. PHOTOS: DISNEYLAND AND REGISTER ARCHIVES / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCRFantasyland TheatreThere's something captivating about seeing your favorite Disney songs and characters come to life on stage. Quietly tucked away by the Toontown Train Station, the large amphitheater has hosted many shows themed around current Disney film releases including Dick Tracy, Beauty and the Beast and Pocahontas.

My personal favorite has been Animazement - The Musical, featuring many well-known characters from Disney's resurgent renaissance, including Ariel, Aladdin, Hercules and Pocahontas. Despite lacking a full storyline, the musical had an emotional appeal and the music was lastingly memorable, with nearly everything composed by Alan Menken (the only exception being the Elton John & Tim Rice selections from The Lion King).

The venue offered a great place for afternoon downtime with quality entertainment. It's currently being underutilized as the location of the Princess Fantasy Faire greeting area. PHOTO: DISNEYLAND RESORT / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCRToy Story Mania! One of the more popular attractions of late, competitors don 3-D glasses upon boarding a spinning ride vehicle for an interactive collection of mini-games, including a Pie Throwing Booth, Ring Toss and a dart throw game, all hosted by a variety of characters from the Toy Story films - while wisecracking Mr. Potato Head greets you out front. What's the highest score that you have received? PHOTO: JOSHUA SUDOCK, OCR / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCRPirates of the CaribbeanPlunge from a quiet firefly-lit bayou into a world of piracy in antebellum-era New Orleans, complete with whizzing cannonballs and a burning town full of carousing and pillaging pirates causing mayhem. The recent addition of Captain Jack Sparrow and other effects from the popular film franchise of the same name has only added to the ride's enduring appeal. Opened in spring 1967, it was the last attraction that Walt personally helped design before his death. The upbeat, iconic theme song alone is reason enough to take this boat voyage, though you'll likely depart humming "Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Life for Me" for hours. PHOTOS: DISNEYLAND AND REGISTER ARCHIVES / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCRChristmas holiday seasonThe middle of November every year is the absolute best time to visit the park: the weather gets crisper and the festive season is fast approaching. The entire park, from the Main Street entrance to the furthest reaches of Critter Country, is once again adorned in its holiday finest. Garlands, an enormous tree, twinkling lights, delectable treats and countless more details immerse you in the charm and warmth of Christmas the way only Disney delivers. I especially love watching the holiday fireworks, complete with a 'snowfall' conclusion, and seeing real reindeer in Frontierland. PHOTOS: JOSHUA SUDOCK, OCR / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCRSnow White's GrottoOpened as part of the park on July 17, 1955, this nook to the west of the castle features a small cascading waterfall with figurines of Snow White and the dwarfs and a wishing well, into which visitors have been tossing lucky coins ever since. On occasion the song "I'm Wishing" from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be heard. All proceeds fished out of the well go to local children's charities.

The picturesque spot can get busy with people congregating for character greetings, but the location can also be peaceful - or become the site of yet another marriage proposal. PHOTOS: FROM THE REGISTER ARCHIVES / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCRAnimation Building in California AdventureExplore the artistic origins of the many beloved Disney characters through a variety of interactive experiences. The Animation Courtyard features multimedia displays from Disney films. From here, branch out to other experiences, including Turtle Talk with Crush, the Animation Academy, Character Close-Up and the Sorcerer's Workshop. PHOTOS: DISNEY AND LORREN AU, OCR / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCRMr. Toad's Wild RideZigzag from Toad Hall through the English countryside in turn of the 20th century motorcars towards 'nowhere in particular' with Mr. Toad. It hopefully will be the only time you're happily found guilty reckless driving and end up in hell.

The wonderful campiness and creativity shown in the original 'dark rides' is in full effect. My favorite ride on cold days, as the final scene warms you up before braving the chill. The line may look long for this one, but it always moves fairly quickly. PHOTO: GREGG L. COOPER / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCRDavy Crockett Explorer CanoesIntroduced a year after Disneyland opened, the canoes are the only ride in the park fully powered by visitors. Jump into a canoe and paddle to your heart's content with 20 of your new best friends on the Rivers of America. PHOTOS: FROM THE REGISTER ARCHIVES / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCRGrand Californian Hotel LobbyA wonderful meeting place any time of day, this space is a relaxing oasis away from the bustling theme parks. Relax in a rocking chair near the fireplace as a pianist fills the vast craftsman-style room with lush sounds. PHOTO: DISNEY / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCRDisneyland RailroadWalt Disney loved trains, insisting in the development process of the park that "it will be surrounded by a train."

An original park attraction, Main Street station greets visitors as they enter Disneyland. Use the railroad to get to various locations in the park, or take the full 'Grand Circle Tour' of the park (it lasts approximately 20 minutes). There are four stops: Main Street, New Orleans Square, Toontown and Tomorrowland.

In 1958, a Grand Canyon diorama was added to the ride. Painted by artist Delmer J. Yoakum on a single seamless 306-foot canvas, the artwork features an image of the canyon's south rim and taxidermic wildlife in lifelike poses. The diorama was expanded in 1966 to include a prehistoric theme using audio-animatronic dinosaurs from Walt Disney's New York World's Fair attraction two years earlier. PHOTOS: JOSHUA SUDOCK, OCR / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCRParadise Bay LagoonFrom parking lot to 16-million-gallon lagoon, this vast expanse of water has been the site of numerous entertainment activities since California Adventure opened in 2001.

The holiday show from that year, LuminAria, was the spot's first to feature low-level pyrotechnics and a light show choreographed to music. Attendees would create drawings throughout the day that were later shown on large screens during the show.

The next summer, Rockin' the Bay pumped up the crowd with performances from nostalgic '60s and '70s bands like the Beach Boys, the Village People and the Monkees.

Since 2010, the far superior World of Color nighttime show utilizes digital projections of characters on water-spray backdrop screens amid lasers and fire. PHOTO: JOSHUA SUDOCK, OCR / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCRPeopleMoverA scenic, slow-moving ride high above Tomorrowland, the PeopleMover was intended to demonstrate how citizens could be shuttled around a central urban area without rushing to board individual trains or drive individual cars. The ride was in operation from 1967 until 1995, when it was removed to make way for Rocket Rods.

The ride toured various attractions in the land, including the SuperSpeed Tunnel, modified in 1982 to project scenes from the groundbreaking computer-enhanced film Tron.

The Walt Disney World version is still active in the Magic Kingdom under the name of Tomorrowland Transit Authority and a new version at Disneyland is supposedly in the works. PHOTO: CLAY MILLER, OCR / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCRMusical entertainment on Main StreetThe Dapper Dans barbershop quartet has serenaded guests on Main Street since 1959. On occasion they can be seen on their custom four-seater bicycle or strolling down the lane.

Since the '60s, a pianist has graced the Coke Corner patio playing medleys of Disney music as well as ragtime standards. Children dance around to the 'rinky-tink' energy while adults sit in amazement at the speed and tone of the songs. PHOTOS: MARK EADES, OCR / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCRMotor Boat Cruise A favorite from my childhood - where else could a 4-year-old captain her own boat? Many kids are excited about the first time they get to drive an Autopia car; I, on the other hand, LOVED getting to be at the helm of a boat. Who cared that it was on a track and that the steering wheel didn't actually work?

As part of the Disney Afternoon event in the park from 1991-93 the ride was renamed the Motor Boat Cruise to Gummi Glen, based on the Gummi Bears television show. Plywood characters from the program were placed around the waterway and riders followed their quest to make Gummi Berry juice.

The dock is now a somewhat secluded seating area - one of the best places to enjoy a quieter lunch in the park. PHOTO: DISNEY / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCRMeet MickeyNo visit to the park is complete without seeing the head cheese himself, Mickey Mouse. He's found throughout the day in his movie barn of a house in Toontown, where he greets fans and poses for pictures. The excited faces of children from all over the world are well worth at least one visit. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCR
Kate Lucas works in the photography department and writes a weekly travel column for The Orange County Register. She can be reached at klucas@ocregister.com.

(Photos clockwise from left to right - As a Cast Member in 2003; With Mickey in 1987; and dressed up for pictures with her sister in 1988) KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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